Hello newbies, and welcome to Redwolf24's bootcamp. Here I would like to pass down some of my knowledge of Wikipedia that may help you out. I think we should start with some common knowledge around the 'pedia. Wikipedia was founded by Jimbo Wales on January 15, 2001. Since then it has grown to the top 20 websites in the WORLD. And here's the number one tip even if you don't feel like reading these things (which I've tried to summarize for your benefit): Type --~~~~ (note that that is two hyphens and four tildes) after your notes on talk pages and when you are voting on things. The Wikipedia software converts it to your username and the date.

If you need to know anything else, leave a message on my talk page and me or Sango123 or someone else will be glad to answer it :)

Links/Images

 
This is an example.
 
A barnstar is a common award to other Wikipedia users for work well done.

Some things about Wikipedia: Wikipedia is not HTML. It has its own software. To link to another Wikipedia article, put it in square brackets ([ and ]) As such: [[Dog]] becomes Dog. To do an image type [[Image:Example.jpg|thumb|This is an example.]] becomes -->

How do you say one thing and make it become another when clicked? Like so:[[Abraham Lincoln|The sixteenth president of the United States]] Becomes The sixteenth president of the United States.

Lists

Another thing to notice is that if you type:
Bob
Joe
Jimmy

It looks like this: Bob Joe Jimmy

To do a list either begin each line with an asterisk (*):

  • Bob
  • Joe
  • Jimmy

Or with a pound sign (#) (this will make a numbered list, including the period):

  1. Bob
  2. Joe
  3. Jimmy

Sectioning

To section a page type == (Section Name) ==

To make a subsection type === (Subsection) ===

To make another use four ='s and five ='s.

Wikiquette

Wikipedia's number one policy is to be civil. Don't ever call someone an asshole, even if they are. ;)

Something that new users don't realize is that it's normally bad form to edit someone else's user page. Speaking of user page, create your own! So when you sign you get a blue link.

As you've probably realized, Wikipedia gets a fair share of vandals. To report a vandal, go to WP:AIV and an Admin will block them. Your help is very appreciated.

To see people trying to become admins, see Requests for adminship. Note that it would not be wise to nominate yourself for an admin when you have less than 2000 edits.

Wikipedia has a 3RR rule. That is to say if someone edits a page and you erase their edits more than three times within 24 hours, you will be blocked.

If you want to delete a page, you can't just blank it, that doesn't work. An admin has to. Either type {{d}} if it is a Candidate for speedy deletion (few cases) or follow the instructions at VFD for the article otherwise.

Redirecting

To redirect from one page to another, erase ALL text and then type #REDIRECT [[DESTINATION]]

Text formatting

To make italic text, use two apostrophes on each side of the text. ''Redwolf24'' becomes Redwolf24. Use three for bold text, '''Redwolf24'''=Redwolf24. Use five of them to get Bold AND Italic. Redwolf24.

Feel free to test below here :) Redwolf24 01:23, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

should

Sandbox

Woohoo, I'm first! >_> NickBush24 01:48, August 24, 2005 (UTC)

Second! --Lewk_of_Serthic contrib talk 04:15, 18 February 2006 (UTC)